Sales cabinet for tire chains



July 25, 1933. w cox' 1,919,349

SALES CABINET FOR TIRE CHAINS Filed March 6, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. ffawara'l MZcax July 25, 1933. H. WILCOX SALES CABINET FOR TIRE CHAINS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 1926 INVENTOR .Ffawarai W/Z'Z aJU Ofv . Oat. A TTORNEY WT E [S T n'ownnn wrLoox, or". new Yong, iTf"ir. ,Ass1G1\ToR TO riincnaru anonucrsi' coiurauyj v.=

Patented July 25, 1933 or CLEVELAND, 0310," A CORPORATION or w onroj flsfar'ins cal sinus: Fon 'rInn CHAINS Application filed aren 1926. 1 sriain 92,775.

This invention relates to acombined stock chain storage cabinet, workbench and fdisplay sales device particularly-designed for practicing the method of fabricating tire chains-as is more fully described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 122,788, filed July 15, (PatentNo. 1,854,816). A '1 V I There, are in general use'at the present time over sixty'sizes oftires'used on auto motive vehicles and'these tires difier from each other in their circumferential lengths as v well as in their widths. -Tire chains or the type under discussion usually comprise two longitudinalor side members having their ends provided with fastening means .for" se:

curing the side members to opposite sides of the tire, and these side members are connected by difi'erent forms of crossfmembers spaced apart along the length oil-the tire chain. Inthe instant case, these. cross members are straight tubular tread members triangular in cross sectionofthe type morespecifica'lly disclosed in the patent to 'Hoil, No.h1,l99,579

granted July 1, 1924, but it-will beobvious from the following disclosure that the invention maybe practiced with. other forms of tire chains. It is necessary, in orderto Cobtain the most efi'ective results in the use of" i tire chains ofa'ny of the usual types, that they be made accurately to a prescribed dimension in botlillength and width sojias to have a nicety of fit on the particular tire for which they aredesigned. This means that the ideal condition, would require a separate tire'chain having a definite length f and adefinite width for eachsize of -tire, As there aresiXty or more sizes of tires in gen eral use this means thatthe manufacturer is compelled to put out an equally large num ber of separate tire chain-sizes. lhe average small dealer and garage man findsit to be economically HnpOSSlblQ to carry in stock tire chains of all the requisite sizes, many'of Y which would be seldom if ever called for and would largely constitute inactive stock. The present practice is forth'e uendorsimply to carry a limited stockfof those particular sizes which he is most likely to havera call for. When the purchaser asks for a tire quires. a chain differentv from the nearest "in width required by the"di-flierent size tires,

The invention contemplates the provision chain" a et some particular Saga tire, the p dealer sells him that chain which comes nearest to fitting the'tire in question, the

purchaserhappens to have atire which -re,

chain which the dealer may happen to have in st0ck,,it naturally results that there is lacking the desirable accuracyof fit between such substituted tire chain and the tire, ",T'heprimary objectoiisthev invention is to provide a simplified and economically practi-. cable apparatus'by means ofwhich'a'ny dealer or garage manc'an readilyvconstruct on -demand, and promptly vend acustom made? tire chaln part cularly des gned to fitany' "hers arev supplied withthe'. necessary las teners, thereis providedthe required accuracy of jfit between the tire lchain' thus formed and the particular tirewhichj it is I designedto fit'.' It has been found that, inso far as the widths are concerned, a-half dozen or '50 0 i 'Of different widths are am l v t'o fitthe requirements in this respect for the tires now ingeneral use and, as a matter of.

fact, the. need for accuracy of lit in tire chains "is more in the length measured circumferentially, of the tire than in the width. 7

t It is accordingly proposed to supply the local dealers-with long lengths of stock chain in about a half dozen different widths. With such stock supply the dealer isenabled by cutting off proper lengths, by securing addi- 90 tional links where indicated, and by supplying the ends with suitablefasteners, to corn struct, on demand", thefproper size tire chain to fit practically any'siz'e of tires;

byfthe manufacturers of a s'chart giving tire sizes together with directions for selecting the-proper vvidth of stock chain and the number of cross m e'mbers whichshould'be present in thetire chain for each; given size of tire. Zoo

As the cross member chains or other form of tread elements are usually spaced apart equally in the form selected for illustration, the invention features the use of the cross members as measurers of the desired circumferential length so that the chart can indicate the number of cross members for each tire chain thus providing a convenient means for measuring the proper length of stack chain which should be out ed to give the required length of tire chain. Nhere the requisite length of any particular tire chain is a length greater than the distance between two cross members any additional fractional length may be obtained by adding to the cut off length one or more of the links which go to make up the side chains. In making up such direction charts, the length added by the fasteners or coupling linkat one end of each side chain is taken into consideration, so that when completed according to the directions on the chart for a particular tire, the tire chain so constructed will have the accuracy of fit prescribed by the manufacturer.

The successful operation of such a method of fabricating tire chain depends to a large extent upon the ease with which it can be practiced by the unskilled Vendors or work man.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide a simplified instrumentality by means of which the method may be practiced conveniently and economically. This aspect of the invention is attained by the manufacturer providing the vendor with a sales cabinet which can be equipped to contain and display the chain stock and which cabinet will be equipped with a work bench and with the necessary tools and accessories to complete from the chain stock in the cabinet, the custom made tire chain proper for the particular tire which it is designed to fit.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious from a consideration of the preferred method of practicing the invention hereinafter described and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and in part will be more fully set forth in the following particular description of one method and of one form of Vending cabinet for use in practicing the method and the invention also consists in certain new and novel operations and features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed. 1

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in rear elevation of a vending cabinet constituting a pref-erred embodiment of the physical aspects of the invention and illustrating an instrumentality by means of which the method feature of the invention may be practiced and showing certain parts broken away to disclose internal construction and with other parts shown in ghost outline; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on of metal bin comprising a front side 11,

rear sidelQ and end sides 13 and 14. These sidesare formed each of sheet metal flanged along'certain edges'and secured along their contacting edges by welding or by means of rivets or screws extending through the flanges. A sheet metal bottom 16 is flanged and is provided with upturned flanges and secured thereby to the end sides 13 and M. Secured to each corner of the bottom is a pivoting supporting caster 17, thus forming a four wheel support'for the bin. The upper edge of each of the front, rear and end sides is turned back upon itself to form ahead 18 which reinforces the upper edges of the bin, provides a neat finish and prevents the formation of sharp edges. l

The interior of the bin is divided by means of vertically extending, parallel partitions 19 to form a plurality of narrow, stocir-ch'ainreceiving wells. These partitions extend from the front to .the rear sides of the bin and act additionally to provide internal reinforcement to the bin-as a whole. These wells are designed to carry stock chains of varying widths and accordingly the partitions are unequally spaced apart and are preferably arranged with progressiv-ely greater spacing from one side so hat the largest width of stock chain may be'contain-ed in one end as shown at the left of Fig, l and the smallest width at the opposite end and with the chain widths progressing in size from one to the other end side of the bin.

are formed accessory containing pockets 20 for carrying all of the stock parts, except the long stock chains which are each contained in their appropriate wells. hese pockets 20 are formed of sheet metal bent into an l-- shape to form a back 21 and flat bottom 22, each provided with flanges 23 by means of which it is secured to and between the adjacent partitions. A flange 24; depending from the front edge of the bottom 22 abuts and is secured to the front or rear sides as the case may be. i

The front and rear walls terminate below the top of the bin so as to provide openings permitting ready access to each of the pockets through the sides of the bin.

Positioned on top of the bin and disposed over the pockets is a counter and work table structure in two parts, preferably of sheet metal and flanged at their edges and headed b 1e ron and At *l f t l I rear side of each well and at the top thereof "10. a stance, cutter29 for severing the stock chain 1 and an anvil '30 to assist in-hammering the v parts-together. The counter 27 may be left free for any desired use a'nd'it is' herein sugi attheir outer edges, the rear one constituting a workbench or table 26 and the one. at the); front-0f the bin constituting --a 'counter 27i l The work bench. may includea top'membe r' QSpreferably aboard of ihard wood; ,These tables are spaced'apart-so as to form an opening QS-at the, center ofth'e top ofveach Well.

1A plurality of tools necessary to practicethe invention herein disclosed are positioned on theawork table, there being"shown',',for in gestcd that traysjfil for holding advertising matter may be positioned at opposite ends of thecounter. N ."fSupported above theibin isarsuperstr'ucs ture 32 which includes a pair of an'glebar upri 'hts-33 and 34; secured to the bin at opposite ends thereof and bolted to the-rear wallofhe adjacent pocket as shown in Fig; 2. A sign support 35 extendslbetweenthe upper" ends of the uprights and provides aconven i ent means for carrying signsand advertising matter.

This signsupport has dependingjthere-i. from-a plurality of chain supportsyone set out supports for each o'f'the bins positioned therebelow These supportsare in'the form I of'hooks 36 which are in each instance spaced apart a distance proport ionateto the width of the chain stock tobe hung thereonQ.

By *utilizing the cabinet-herein -disclose'd,v the operation is facilitated in thatzthe' free end, of 62lCl1Ofl3l1 stock-chains isconve a .iently accessible and the operator IS' IGlJGVQ Cl' from fishinginto the-'b intoyfind'the end of the stock'c'hainm In practice; the operator finds it convenient to leave the I end of the chain .inposition' on the supp ort until he has counted .105 the requisite number of cross members and has severed-the-short length from the remaining portion offthe stock chain. The severed po'rtion ca nthen beiunihooked from the support and the end of the remaining" stockchain; inserted in its place.- iiny usual length of chain to'be cutoffwill [reach from-the support to the c utter at 29 andsurplus chain canbe hung in aloop over one of the sides of the bin as illustrated in dotted outline in Fig.1.} Astheiend of-each stock chain is approached,la fresh supply of stock chain which-in the nstant caseis supplied in packages of a hundred foot v length or more is introduced intoth apprql priate well and securedby means of one of the side chain coupling links to whatever short length of stock may *be remainin oraboveth'e well. 1 I i Thewear on achain of the type disclosed occnrs l'argely at the cross members. {Should a customer desire tohave one or more crossv members of his old tire chain replaced new cross members, the old, wornmembers "claimr v v r L Aportableiunit comprisinga combined 7 displaystand, stock containen work bench f areremoved' at their connection 'with the side chainand-ithe proper size ne'w cross member selected from stock and replaced in position in the tire chain. Similarly aeworn or broken, side'fchain link orfastener may be replaced In; the illiistrate d form sin daaea widths of stock chainare suppliedwith the For illustrationg'let it be a ssumed'that the v purchaser asks for a tirevchain for a 3OX3 tirei :The operator; consulting the chart,"

size ,ofstockc'haimmarked size Alon the; chart; Thechart would d re'cthim tocount I ofi" eighteen'cross'members and to sever the stock chain at a link beyond 'the' 'eightee'nth' cross inember. The operator would'thenlate a d the article would be completeandready for immediate delivery to the :customer.

As} another illustration,"-let it be" assumed that .thevcustomer askedifor atire, chain to Tfit'a 32Xlhigh pressure cord'tire. ence to the chartatheoperator would find a note to the-'efi'ect that high pressure, tires marked F4?- actually] measure 41% to 4 "inches and he would be instructed to i select By refer- ,Stockchain ,C the. "thread-member of'Which isofthe length prescribed for'ti res of this size. The chart would instruct him to count oil eighteen-cross membersgan'd: to" add an extra couplingjlink to each of the sidechains after they have been severed beyond the eighteenth cross member. A fa'stener is then I added to thisjextra link and again the pm perasize oftirechain'is ready for d li y t i the customer. I v I of tire may be constructed as a custom-made i 4110 -,In thisawaytire chain to fit'any usual size article particularly designed to 'haveithe fit prescribed the manufacturer for the par-f ticular siz'e oftire selected for a'fittingj r Y Worn, parts of old chains can be readily @replaced' without necessity of using any spe+ cialfequipment and even without necessityi ofusing thespecial cabinet herein disclosed I i In order to'supply tire chains for all usual sizes "of-tires it is necessary to carry in; stock "only a half dozen or so of different size chain] stock and to order from time to timejthat ,parf ticular sizefor which thereis the greatest demand and the same applies to the coupling link ,cross members and fastener.

Having' thus described my-inventioml tach afastener to one end of eachside chain and cabinet for vending tire chains, said unit comprising a bin provided with vertical spaced apart partitions forming chain stock containing wells open at their upper ends, a superstructure provided. with chain stock supporting means spaced above the top of the bin, one set of supporting means disposed above each well and adapted to have hung thereon-one end of the chain stock which is contained in and ezrtends from the associated Well therebelow.

2. A combined display stand, stock container,-work bench and cabinet for vending tire chains, comprising a bin provided with vertical spaced. apart partitions coacting to form a plurality of chain containing wells, a superstructure provided with chain sup porting means spaced above the top of the bin, one set of supporting means disposed above each-well and adapted to have hung thereon one end of, the stock chain which is contained in and extends from the associated well there below, the partitions being unequally 'spaced apart to provide Wells of different widths adapted'to accommodate stock chain of different widths.

3. A combined display stand, stock container, work bench and cabinet for vending tire chains, comprising a bin provided with vertical spaced apart partitions coacting to form a plurality of chain containing wells accessible at their upper ends, a superstructure provided with chain supporting means spaced above the top of the bin, one set of supporting meansfdisposed above each well and adapted to have hung thereon one end of the stock chain which is contained in and extends from the associated well therebelow, the partitions being unequally spaced apart to provide wells of variable widths adapted to accommodate stock chain of difierent Widths, the supportingmeans above each well comprising in each instance a set of two'chain supports, with the supports spaced apart a distance corresponding to the display widths of the stock chain assigned to its associated well. Y

4. In a device ofthe class described, the combination of a bin for containing the major portion of a length of stock chain for forming tire chains of the type of such chain which includes a pair of side chains and connecting cross tread members, a superstructure spaced above the bin to provide an open space above the bin for displaying the stock chain, a pair of chain supports carried by the superstructure, positioned above the bin and spaced apart whereby one end of the stock chain may be drawn fromthe bin and hung on said supports thus displaying the stock chain and providing easy access to the upper end thereof when it is desired to cut off a length from said end, and a work table at the top of the bin and positioned to one a portion'of the stock chain adj acent' its end hung on the supports may be drawn laterally from its perpendicular position and positioned on, the table tor'cuttiiig and otheroperations thereon while leaving the end temporarily in position on the supports if desired.

5.. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open top bin adapted to contain a supply of service chain stock, a work table supported on the bin and disposed side of the opening into the bin, whereby adjacent one side thereof, meanstorming a plurality of pockets positioned within the outlines of the bin and beneath the work table and adapted to contain tire chain stock parts, the side of the bin provided with openings affording access to the pockets, and tire chain forming tools secured to the work table and positioned between the open top of the bin and the side provided with the pocket openings.

6. In a device of the class described, the

combination of an open top bin adapted to' .chain containing wells and coacting to provide cross reinforcing members for internally bracing thev bin, a pair of tables secured to the top of the bin, positioned adjacent opposite sides and spaced apart to form therebetween centrally disposed openings at the top oi each well, means beneath each table coacting with the partitions to form stock containing pockets, and said opposite sides of the bin provided with openings providing access to said pockets.

8.. Ina device of the class described, the combination of a bin provided with partitions forming a plurality of stock chain containing wells and coacting to provide internal' cross reinforcing members for bracing the bin, a pair of tables securedto the top ofthe bin, positioned adjacent opposite sides and spaced apart to form therebetween centrally disposed openings at the top of each well, means beneatheach table coacting with the. partitions to form stock containing pockets, a superstructure including a pair of uprights secured .tovthe opposite end'walls of the bin, and chain supports secured to the superstructure and positioned above the open tops of the wells;

HOWARD WILOOX, 

